Musical signaling device



Oct. 6, 1931; PRESTEK 1,826,635

MUSICAL SIGNALING DEVICE Filed June 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSINVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1931. L. A. PRESTEK 1,826,635

MUSICAL S IGNALING DEVICE- Filed June 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVENTORWITNESS. Z; A.Pres fen ATTOR N EY Patented Get. 6, 1931 LOUIS A.PRESTEK, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON MUSICAIi SIGNALING DEVICE Applicationfiled June 6, 1930. Serial No. 459,497.

This invention relates to improvements in signaling devices, and itconsists of the constructions, combinations and arrangements hereindescribed and claimed.

'5, An object of the invention is to provide a signaling device theprinciples of which are well. adapted to application to a musical hornfor motor vehicles which horn is herein de scribed as one improvement ofthe invention,

"1, an outstanding purpose being to enable the operator to either causethe playing of a tune or melody by pressing one button or cause thesounding of a chord by the pressing of another button.

Another object of the invention is to pro- Figure 3 is a Verticalsection taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, parts being shown inelevation.

Figure 1 is a section of the horn duplicating a portion of Figure 1, butillustrating the action of the magnet in opening one of a plurality ofvalves for the sounding of 'a chord.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Figure 1.

As already indicated above, the improved signaling device is hereindescribed as a musical horn for motor vehicles. This use is describedonly as one illustration, for in practice the signaling device will beused in connections other than automobiles.

I is a purpose to place at the disposal of the motorist a horn withwhich a Wide choice of melodies is possible, the only limitation beingthe number of record cylinders of which there must be one for eachdesired melody. In continuation of this idea it is possible for themotorist to sound a prearranged chord ii'- 5 respective of what recordcylinder happens to be in place.

A base, generally denoted 1, comprises the support of a plurality ofhorns 2 which comprise bell-mouthed tubes 3 (Fig. 1) that are screwedinto one side of an equal plurality of bosses 4 on the base 1, into theother sides of which bosses mouthpieces 5 are secured. Each has a reed6, and a thimble 7 secured to the respective boss over the mouthpiece 5defines an air chamber into which air is discharged in order to vibratethe reed and thus give forth a note.

Nine horns are herein used, although the number may vary in practice.The use of nine horns is preferred because of the wider range ofmelodies that can be played. Each reed 6 will be pitched to a differentnote, and it is by means of cams 8 on a record cylinder 9 (Fig. 1) thatair is allowed to pass to the various air chambers and thus sound thehorns in such successions or in combinations as to play the particularmelody that a given cylinder 9 represents.

For this purpose the air chambers 7 of horns 2 have connection by meansof ducts 10 with an air manifold 11 which, in common with a pump casing12, is defined by a cover 13, suitably secured in front of the base 1 inan air tight manner around the contacting edges. A port 14 (Fig. 1)affords continuous communication of the pump casing 12 with the manifold11. Air appropriately admitted to the casing 12 will be driven underpressure into the manifold 11 by the action the various of blades (Fig.3) slidably carried by a rotor 16 afiixed to one end of the shaft 17 toan electric motor 18.

Revolution of the rotor 16 fills the manifold 11 with air in readinessto sound the horns 2. The passage of the air to the ducts 10 iscontrolled by ball valves 19 that are normally seated over the entrancesto the ducts by springs 29. Rods 21 are in contact (or nearly so) at therespective ends with the valves 19 and cylinder 9, so that as the latterrevolves and the cams 8 move under the valve rods the valves 19 areunseated and air is liberated from the manifold 11 for passage to airchambers 7 in the manner already pointed out.

The valve rods 21 are supported and guided near the ends upon walls 22,23 that form part of the base 1. It is in the wall that the ducts 10 areformed. The wall 23 is actually part of a tube into which the recordcylinder 9 is inserted. The record cylinder has recesses 24 at one endfor the reception of a turning fork 25, and at the other end has apintle 26 which engageable in the central hub 27 of a closure cap 28 forthe tube 23. The record cylinder is thus afforded an adequate bearing.

Meshing gears 29, 30, by the last of which th fork is carried, areadapted to be driven by the motor 18 as long as a movable clutch member31 is held in engagement with a complementary clutch member 32 by meansof a spring 33. The clutch member 31 is splined to the shaft 17 at 34(Fig. 6). The clutch member 32 is perfectly loose on the shaft 17. Itincludes a worm pinion 35 which meshes with a worm gear 36 (Fig. 6) onthe suitably supported shaft 37 of the gear 29.

Thus it will be seen that when the motor 18 operated, the turning of itsshaft 17 imparted to the record cylinder 9 (Fig. 1) by of the clutchmembers 31, 32, worm pinion and gears 35, 36 and gears 29. 30, thuscausing the playing of the melody for which the cams 8 are set. Themotor 18 is embraced by a circuit which is as follows:

One terminal of a battery 38 is connected with one brush of the motor bymeans of wires 89, 40, the other terminal of the battery being connectedby means of a wire 41 with an automatic control disc 42 which is fixedto the shaft in common with the gear 30. This disc has a cut-out spot 44composed of an insert of insulation. Brushes 45, 46 beer on theperiphery of the disc 42, these being connected by wires 47, 48 with theopposite sides of a push button switch 49.

A wire 50 from the other brush of the motor 18 has a branch connection51 with th wire 48. Upon wishing to play a melody the operator has onlyto give the button 49 a momentary push, then release it whereupon theaction will be as follows :-Current primarily flows from battery 38 overwires 39, 4 to motor 18, over wires 50, 51, 48 to the button 49, thenceover wire 47, brush 45, disc 42 and wire 41 to the battery. As soon asthe disc 42 has turned far enough to displace the cutout spot 44 fromthe brush 46, current secondarily flows from battery 38 over wires 39,40 to motor 18, wires 50, 51 and 48 to brush 46, through disc 42 andover wire 41 to the battery. This secondary current flow continues untilthe cut-out spot 44 reaches the brush 46, whereupon the secondarycurrent is opened and the motor 18 caused to stop.

A selection of horns 2 is preliminarily made for the sounding of achord. Corresponding rods 21 are selected, and each of the selected onesis fitted with a stop 52 (Fig. 5) against which the forked end of alever 53 can push. There is a plurality of these levers 53 (Fig. 1)attached to a cross shaft 54. An armature 55 on the cross shaftconfronts the pole piece of an electro-magnet 56 which, when energized,attracts the armature and simultaneously disengages the clutch member 31and shifts the selected rods 21 so as to unseat the corresponding valves19 and sound the chord which they represent. For the first purpose thecross shaft 54 has a clutch fork 57 in engagement with the member 31.

The manner in which the magnet 56 is energized and the record cylinder 9cut out is as follows :-A push button switch 58 (Fig. 2) has one contactwith which an extension of the wire 50 is connected, a second contactwith which a wire 59 is connected and a third contact with which a ire60 from one terminal to the magnet 56 is connected. The other terminalof the magnet is connected with an extension 61 of the wire 39. Uponpressing the button 58 current will flow from battery 38 over wires 89,60 to magnet 56, wire 60, switch 58 and wires 59, 47 to brush 45,returning to battery by way of disc 42 and wire 41. This actuates theselected rod 21 as already explained.

But it is also necessary for the motor 18 to be energized in order thatthe pump blades 15 may supply the air for the blowing of the selectedtrumpets s. This is accomplished as follows :There is a division of thecurrent from battery 38 over wire 39 at the wire 40, which current flowsthrough motor 18, over wire 50 to switch 58, wires 59, 47 to brush 45,returning to battery by way of disc 42 and wire 41.

Since in the sounding of the chord the record cylinder 9 is cut out bythe unclutching of the complementary member 32 it follows that theautomatic function of the control disc 42 is suspended. The sounding ofthe chord will, therefore, continue as long as the operator appliespressure to the button 58 (Fig. 2). But in the instance of the button49, as has been brought out already, it is necessary to apply momentarypressure only whereupon the start given the disc 42 will continue theturning of the record cylinder 9 until one revolution has beencompleted, whereupon the turning will be stopped automatically when thecut-out stop 44 reaches the brush 46.

It will be further understood that the pump 15, 16 operates with thedepression of each "button 49, 58. This is necessary in order to supplythe air for the operation of the horns. The choice of a chord is amatter of the initial setting of the levers 53 (Fig. 1). Ordinarily thissetting will be made at the factory. The record tube 23 is accessible tothe motorist for the purpose of replacing the record cylinder 9.

The choice of a variety of melodies may be played by having as manydifferent record cylinders on hand. The melody of an automobile horncapable of playing a variet of melodies will appeal to a large portion 0the motoring public, and the replacement by a melodious tune for theraucous sounds customarily projected at pedestrians is calculated toinspire in the latter more respect for the warning intended to beissued.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved musical signalingdevice is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modificationsand changes may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. A signaling device comprising a plurality of sound-makingelements, actuatable means to cause the sounding of the elements, arecord for operating the actuatable means and playing a selected melody,and means having a fixed setting for operating a prearranged set of theactuatable means irrespective of the record.

2. A signaling device comprising a plurality of horns, a source of airto blow the horns, valve means to control the passage of air to therespective horns, a record having means to displace the valve means insuccessions and combinations for the playing of a melody, and means todisplace predetermined ones of the valve means irrespective of therecord to sound a chord.

3. A signaling device comprising a plurality of horns, a pump to supplyair for the blowing of the orns said pump having driving means foroperating it, valve means to control the flow of air to the respectivetrumpets, a record in driving connection with said driving means foractuating the valve means simultaneously with the pump for the playingof a melody, and means for simultaneously disconnecting the record fromthe driving means and actuating predetermined ones of the valve meansirrespective of the record for the sounding of a chord.

4. A signaling device comprising a plurality of sound-making elements,individual means for actuating the respective elements, an exchangeablerecord for operating upon said individual means according to a choice ofrecords thus to enable playing a selected melody, and means tosimultaneously render the record inoperative and actuate apredetelalnnfilned group of the elements to sound a c or 5. A signalingdevice comprising a plurality of horns, means to supply air for thesounding of the horns, individual valve means for controlling the flowof air to the respective horns, a revoluble record, rods interposedbetween the valve means and the rec- 0rd for the variegated displacementof the valve means and the playing of a melody, and means forsimultaneously stopping the record and actuating predetermined ones ofthe rods for the regular displacement of the respective valve means andthe playing of a chord.

6. A signaling device comprising a plurality of horns, a pump forsupplying air to the horns, said pump having a drive means, valve meansfor controlling the flow of air to the horns, rods to actuate the valvemeans, a record for operating on the rods causing the playing of amelody, means driven by the valve means for revolving the record, thedriven means including a clutch for connecting the driven means with thedrive means, and means for simultaneously disengaging the clutch to stopthe record and actuate a predetermined number of the rods for theplaying of a melody.

7. A signaling device comprising a plurality of sound-making elements,means to control the application of operating energy to the respectiveelements, a record for actuating the control means successively thus toplay a melody, group-operating means for actuating a group of thecontrol means to play a chord, electrical means including a source ofenergy and motor with driving connection to the record and said energyproducing means, and a circuit having a switch adapted to be momentarilyclosed and having automatic control means for substantially keeping thecircuit closed a fixed length of time and a second circuit including, amagnet and said motor, being adapted for closure to actuate thegroup-operating means to disconnect the driving connections of therecord and cause a group operation of said control means.

8. A signaling device comprising a plurality of horns, an electric motorand a pump operable thereby to supply the horns with air, valve means tocontrol the flow of air to the respective horns, separately controlledelectrical circuits embracing the motor, one of said circuits includingan electro-magnet, a record having driving connections operable by themotor in common with the pump upon closure of one of the circuits foractuating the valve means to play a melody, and groupactuating meansoperable by the electro-magnet in common With the motor upon closure ofthe other circuit having means to disconnect the record and to displacea group of the valve means for the playing of a chord.

9. A signaling device comprising a plurality of sound-making elements,individual means for actuating the respective elements, a record foroperating upon said individual means to enable playing a selectedmelody, and means to simultaneously render the rec 0rd inoperative andactuate a predetermined group of the elements irrespective of therecord.

LOUIS A. PRESTEK.

